July, 20 2015, 02:00pm EDT
Texas NAACP Statement on the Death of Sandra Bland
According to the Waller County Sheriff's office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, Sandra Bland was pulled over by DPS trooper, Brian Encinia on July 10, 2015, for improper signaling a lane change. The traffic stop occurred in Waller County, Texas. Ms. Bland was subsequently arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer and booked into Waller County jail. On Monday morning, Ms. Bland was found dead. Waller County authorities have classified Ms. Bland's death a suicide. In light of these developments, the NAACP Texas State Conference has issued the following statement.
AUSTIN, Texas
According to the Waller County Sheriff's office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, Sandra Bland was pulled over by DPS trooper, Brian Encinia on July 10, 2015, for improper signaling a lane change. The traffic stop occurred in Waller County, Texas. Ms. Bland was subsequently arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer and booked into Waller County jail. On Monday morning, Ms. Bland was found dead. Waller County authorities have classified Ms. Bland's death a suicide. In light of these developments, the NAACP Texas State Conference has issued the following statement.
From Gary Bledsoe, NAACP Texas State Conference President:
"We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Ms. Bland's family and friends. The Texas NAACP is currently conducting an inquiry into the tragic death of Sandra Bland in Waller County. We remain committed to finding an objective determination of the facts. We have serious concerns surrounding the routine traffic stop that led to Sandra Bland's arrest and subsequent death. We are also concerned by the immediate pronouncement of suicide as the cause of death by Waller County authorities and the endorsement of a specific funeral home to be used by Sandra Bland's family. To ensure that justice is fairly administered, the Texas NAACP is calling for an independent investigation by the United States Department of Justice into this case. The Texas State Conference of the NAACP is also asking for anyone with information regarding this matter to please contact us our office at 512-358-1359. We all deserve to know what led to the untimely death of Sandra Bland."
Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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